Chester Erskine (November 29, 1905 – April 7, 1986) was an American director, producer, and writer.

Biography

Chester Erskine was born in

Hudson, New York Hudson is a Administrative divisions of New York#City, city in and the county seat of Columbia County, New York, United States. At the 2020 United States Census, 2020 census, it had a population of 5,894. On the east side of the Hudson River, f ...

and studied for a short time at the

American Academy of Dramatic Arts The American Academy of Dramatic Arts (AADA) is a Private college, private drama school with two locations, one in New York City and one in Los Angeles. The academy offers an associate degree in occupational studies and teaches drama and related ...

. His first directing job was ''Harlem'', a 1929 all-black revue. He also directed

Spencer Tracy Spencer Bonaventure Tracy (April 5, 1900 – June 10, 1967) was an American actor. He was known for his natural performing style and versatility. One of the major stars of Classical Hollywood cinema, Hollywood's Golden Age, Tracy was the ...

in the Broadway production of '' The Last Mile'' in 1930. Erskine's likeness was drawn in caricature by Alex Gard for Sardi's, the

New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...

theater district restaurant. The picture is now part of the collection of the

New York Public Library The New York Public Library (NYPL) is a public library system in New York City. With nearly 53 million items and 92 locations, the New York Public Library is the second-largest public library in the United States behind the Library of Congress a ...

.The New York Public Library Inventory of Sardi's Caricatures
/ref> In 1932, he began working in Hollywood, where his best-known work includes the direction of '' The Egg and I'' and the screenplay adaptation of '' All My Sons''. Other films directed by Erskine include the 1949 mystery '' Take One False Step'' starring William Powell and the 1952 comedy '' A Girl in Every Port'' featuring

Groucho Marx Julius Henry "Groucho" Marx (; October 2, 1890 – August 19, 1977) was an American comedian, actor, writer, and singer who performed in films and vaudeville on television, radio, and the stage. He is considered one of America's greatest comed ...

. Erskine produced a number of films, notably '' The Wonderful Country'', a 1959 western with Robert Mitchum. He died in

Beverly Hills, California Beverly Hills is a city located in Los Angeles County, California, United States. A notable and historic suburb of Los Angeles, it is located just southwest of the Hollywood Hills, approximately northwest of downtown Los Angeles. Beverly Hills ...

at the age of 80.

References

External links

* *
Chester Erskine papers, 1870-1991 (bulk 1930-1987)
held by the Billy Rose Theatre Division,

New York Public Library for the Performing Arts The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center, is located at 40 Lincoln Center Plaza, in the Lincoln Center complex on the Upper West Side in Manhattan, New York City. Situated between the Metropolitan O ...

{{DEFAULTSORT:Erskine, Chester 1905 births 1986 deaths American theatre directors American theatre managers and producers Film directors from New York (state) Film producers from New York (state) 20th-century American businesspeople